The Back Side of God

Moses asks God to show His glory, and God said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live" (Ex 33:20). Do we die if we see God’s face, and we can live if see his back? Do we have to die to see God's face? Was Moses agreeing to less than the best and got less than he asked for?

During the recent Solar Eclipse, people had to use special glasses with filters or other devices. Those who dared to look directly, damaged their eyes. If looking at the Sun's brightness is detrimental, how much more devastating can it be to see the brighness of God, "who dwells in unapproachable light"? (1 Tim. 6:16)

God said, "I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy" (Verse 19). The pople have sinned and Moses needed to see God's grace, not justice at this situation. The cleft of the rock was a safety place for Moses in his anxiety and fear. God understands and knows our situations, and He will show the side that is the best for us. Humanity can see God only one way, that is through the Grace of God.

God told Moses, "There is a 'place near me', a cleft in the rock, from where you can see". The place near God is "The Son who is at the father’s side Who revealed Him” (John 1:18). Jesus is not like a son in human genealogical father/son relationship where sons become fathers. He is not a second order of Son, He is the Eternal Son who was and is near to Eternal God. Moses was able to witness and experience by faith the rock of ages. This forever changed his faith and he bowed to the ground and worshipped (Exodus 34:8). Moses got to see more and better than what he had asked for.

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Blessings

Mathew Philip

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